No Tricks-Julie Blanchard

Hands-on Activity :The joy of watercolor is the immediate reaction of the pigment to the paper. The movement of color in a fluid and spontaneous reaction to gravity creates excitement. Participants will be encouraged and directed to explore the beauty and adventure of direct Watercolor painting. Paper, paint, brush and water are the only materials required. Following along with my demonstration we will begin with sketches or photos to quickly establish a strong design, simplified values, and a harmonious color scheme. Painting directly without masking or resist and without added textures, gizmos or doodas we will create a confident and dynamic painting

Julies Bio

Julie Blanchard graduated from Emmanuel College, Boston MA, as an art major in 1967 and began a 36 year career, teaching art in the Waltham Public Schools. She began working in a masters program in studio art and art history, receiving an MAT in Fine arts in 1984 from Assumption College in Worcester. In 1985 became the Director of Art for the Waltham Public Schools.

Working in watercolor on the spot, outdoors, in every kind of weather became a regular part of the schedule. Using strong color and a variety of techniques to capture the mood and feeling of the day, Blanchard allows nature to take a hand in the completed work. Whether it is sand and bugs or ice crystals in winter she makes use of the environment tohelp capture the moment.

Since retiring in 2003, she has traveled across the United States, driving and painting to Idaho in the summer of 2004. Then joining a group of traveling artists to paint in Ireland (2004), Italy (2005), the Greek Isles (2006) and Cornwall, England (2007). She currently teaches adult courses in oil painting, watercolor, gouache and casein at the Cape Cod Art Association in Barnstable and watercolor at the Creative Art Center in Chatham during the summer.

Blanchard is juried artist member and Master Artist of the Cape Cod Art Association, and regularly exhibits throughout New England. She is a Signature Member of the New England Watercolor Society, serving on the Board of Directors and has been elected Vice President for 2017-18.She is also an Associate member of the National Watercolor Society and has participated in two of their members shows. Her watercolor paintings are in private collections in Arizona, California, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Idaho, Texas, Missouri and Virginia. Her work can also be seen at the Cape Cod Art Association in Barnstable, and the Fresh Paint Gallery Studio